Wire-fence machine



(No Model.)

P TRICK WIRE FENCE MACHINE. No. 495,533;

Patent-ed Apr. 18, 1893.

g I V w UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE,

PHILIP TRICK, OF ORESTLINE, OHIO.

WIRE-FENCE MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 495,533, dated April 18, 1893. Application filed September 27, 1892- Seria1No.447,055- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP TRICK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Crestline, in the county of Crawford, in the State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Machine for Making WVire Fences, of which the following is a correct description.

The invention relates to a machine which is operated in the field, to intertwist the wires, when the fence is formed wholly of wire, or to twist the wires in connection with pickets or other upright parts, of metal or of wood, when the fence is to be of the compound or composite order, the operation of inserting and intertwisting the wires progressing, and the machine moving step by step across the field, while the several lengths are secured, as they are completed, to the successive members of the previously-set line of posts.

The invention consists in various novel elements or novel combinations of elements in a machine for making wire fences, as will first be described with particular reference to its details of construction, and then distinctly summarized inthe paragraphs which immediately follow such description.

In the accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of this specification: Figure 1 represents a perspective elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 represents a perspective elevation of the machine,the view being taken in a direction opposite to that of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one of the wheels of the upper or lower series of twisting gear-wheels, detached. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the central or midheight wheel, which serves as a gear-wheel, to actuate the upper and lower series of twisting-Wheels, and also, in common with them, as a twisting-wheel.

The left and right parallel vertical columns A and A (constituting the column of wheel-bearing standard A,) of the machine A, between which the twisting-wheels are secured, are, at their bases, firmly fixed in or upon the horizontal base or platform B,-any suitable angle-pieces, as a, or braces as b and b serving to secure them immovably in their position upon such base. The base or platform B is received by its longitudinal edges in opposite parallel recesses or ways w, in a supporting bed-frame F, and it has movement Upon the front face and upon the rear face 7 of the columns A and A are secured the upper series of transversely-extending horizontal journal-plates or bars a a a a a", a a and a and the similar lower series of journal plates 01. a, a a, a, (0 a (N -the two series respectively receiving between them the journals of the gear-wheels 110 10 10 20 and w, 10 10 to".

At the mid-height of the columns A and A is the intermediate or secondary and actuating gear-wheel A which, as already stated, serves, in common with the wheels above it and below it, as a twisting-wheel. This wheel is by its rear-journal received in a journalplate e which is similar to those above it and below it, but at its front its journal is received Within the central opening of an outwardly-bent or concave journal-bar a, the bend or concavity conforming, as shown, to the configuration of the bevelgear surfaces a upon such wheel. In coincidence with the gear-wheel A is the primary gear-wheel or power-wheel Aflwhich is rigidly fixed upon the shank c, of a crank-arm or winch O,which is journaled in bearings ab, upon the front face of the column A As represented in the drawings, the journal-plates are secured to the columns by means of through-bolts and nuts, but it will be apparent that other means of attachment might be employed.

The cog-gear twisting-wheels, and the central or mid-height wheel, are each provided, upon each face, with a projecting journal 3', through which extend a central perforation j and outer perforations 7' and 3' and 7' and and j,-the perforations j and j being placed opposite to each other, and near to the central perforationj while the perforations 7' j andj In the operation of the 1nachine,a wire being extended for instance, through the central perforation of the actuating gear-wheel A and additional wires through either or both of the two pairs of perforations outside the central perforation, revolution of the crank-arm C will cause such outer wires to be firmly intertwisted with and about the central wire,-the groups of wires in the wheels 10 and to above and below, respectively, being, of course, twisted in the opposite direction to those in the actuating wheel, while the wheels of each pair, equally removed from and on opposite sides of the actuating-wheel, revolve in the same direction,this direction being different in adjacent pairs. At a short distance from the machine, the first of a series of vertical wires may beinserted between the members of either or both of the two pairs of horizontal wires, the angularly-bent ends of such vertical wires extending horizontally along the horizontal wires, toward the machine, and being intertwisted with such horizontal wires. Ifpickets alone be employed, it will usually be found economical of material to employ the pair of wires in the perforations 7' andj, alone; as these, being-farther apart than the wires in the perforations j and f,will be best adapted to receive and to secure the pickets. As the process of twisting is continued, and it is desired to introduce vertical pickets or vertical wires,the hook of the lever being engaged with the holding-openings in the frame, actuation of the lever L will serve to advance the machine along its bed-frame, and along the fence-line.

When vertical rods, bars, or pickets, are to constitute a part of the structure, the plat form and bed-frame will serve, through contact of'such rods, bars, or pickets therewith,

to gage the height of such parts from the base-line of the fence.

A machine of this construction has been found to operate rapidly and effectively in the construction of a fence composed either wholly of wire, or of wire in connection with rods or pickets, as represented in United States Patent No. 483,186, granted to me September 27, 1892; upon reference to which the manner in which the machine is employed to secure vertical wires, or both vertical wires and wooden pickets in place, will more clearly appear.

The nature and the objects of the invention having been thus definitely indicated and the construction and operation of the apparatus in which it is embodied having been fully set forth, what is claimed'is 1. Amachine for making wire fences which embraces a bed-frame or support which is provided with longitudinal ways, and with engageable openings; and a vertical column or standard which is mounted upon a base or platform which is movable within and along the longitudinal ways, and which is provided with a pivoted lever-which is adapted to engage the openings in thebed-frame.

2. A machine for making wire fences which embraces'a supporting bed-frame which is provided with longitudinal ways, and with engageable surfaces or openings; a platform or base which is received by its edges in the longitudinal ways in the supporting bed-frame; a vertical column or standard which is mounted upon the platform or base; and an operating lever which is pivoted to a fixed part which is secured to the base and to the column or standard, and which is adapted to engagethe bed-frame, and which when thus engaged is operative to move the base and its superposed column or standard along the Ways in the bed-frame.

PHILIP TRICK. WVitnesses:

W. STAHLE, JNO. G. BARNEY. 

